Prologue
“Ms. Green. I’m reminding you that the novel you’re currently editing is almost due. Are you almost done, yet?” My boss asked.
“Yes, sir. This will be done tomorrow.” I replied, a little tiredly from sleep deprivation.
“Good, let me know if you’ve finished it.”
“Yes, sir.” I nodded as my boss went to check in with all my other colleagues.
“You okay, Lily?” Sophie asked as she peeked at the wall separating our tables.
“Yeah.” I sighed. “Just a little sleep deprivation here and there. I’ll live.”
“Nah, you need a break. Your eyebags look like they’re about to fall out.”
“I have no time for breaks, Soph.”
“Yes, you do. You are one minute from passing out.”
“Am not.”
“Are to.”
Yvaine sighed. “Fine, what do you suggest?”
“I say you go on a long vacation in some country.”
“What would that country be?”
“Didn’t you take an interest in Spain?”
“Yeah?”
“Then, go for it. Relax in a new environment, and learn new cultures and traditions. You might even find love~” Sophie wiggled her eyebrows as she said the last part.
“Yeah, learning the cultures and traditions of Spain would be great, but the love part? No thanks, I don’t have time for that.”
“Oh come on, you’re almost 27 and still single.”
“What’s wrong about being single?”
“You’re lonely.”
“I have you.”
“Yes, you have me. But I meant like the romantic kind.”
“Soph, I don’t need to be in a relationship where things don’t work out.”
“Not all relationships are like that.”
“For me, it does.”
Sophie sighed. “Fine, forget the whole love thing. Focus on rediscovering yourself in the foreign country of Spain.”
“Alright. Would you go with me?”
“I want to, but with both Danny and me being busy, no one will be able to take care of Alex.”
“Then I won’t go.”
“Oh come on, Lily. Don’t miss this opportunity.”
I thought about it for a moment. It would be great to relax without having paperwork and novels to edit. But I can’t just leave. Can I?
“I’ll think about it.”
“Yay, I’ll see if there are any places in Spain where you can start your journey, ” she said excitedly as she returned to her side.
* * * * *
I sighed as I shut the door behind me. It’s great to be back home. I live in a suburban neighborhood of Manhattan, New York. I live alone, obviously, I have been since I told my parents that I wanted to be a book editor. At least my job pays decently.
I dove onto my couch and lay there for a couple of minutes. I love my job, I do. But I’m tired. Exhausted.
I looked at my phone, scrolling through my contacts, and stopped when I saw Sophie’s number.
Well, it’s now or never.
* * * * *
“Well, that looks beautiful,” I said as I admired the beautiful coastal town of Cadaqués, Catalonia, Spain through my laptop.
“It says here that Cadaqués was famously home to the surrealist painter Salvador Dalí. Then that’s a great place for you since other than books, you also love art.” Sophie says as I scoot over the couch to let her see.
“I guess...”
“Oh, they’re also famous for their excellent seafood and traditional Catalan dishes, and this is where Diego Sanchez lives.”
“Who’s that?”
Sophie looks at me like I killed her cat. “You love seafood but you don’t know who Diego Sanchez is?”
“I mean... In my defense, I focus on the flavor of the food.”
Sophie sighed. “Well, he is known for his cooking skills, and how he was awarded the youngest restaurant owner at the age of 16.
“So, he’s a kid.”
Sophie huffed.
“Okay, okay. I’m kidding.” I chuckled as Sophie got back onto the couch. “So... What’s so special about this guy, again?”
“Well, as I’ve told you. He’s famous for owning a restaurant at 16. Not only that but his skills in cooking got all the girls in Cadaqués swoon over for him.”
I chuckled. “I don’t blame them. It’s hard to find a guy that’s good with his skills as his appearance.”
“I know, right?” Sophie giggled.
“Why are you swooning? You have a husband. And a kid.”
“I know, he reminds me of how Danny cooked every breakfast since he usually wakes up first. Not to mention the time he made me breakfast in bed.” Sophie swooned for her husband who was playing with their kid.
I smiled at how well their marriage turned out.
“Anyway, how do I make a hotel reservation?” I say as I click the link to a hotel website.
“Here, I’ll help you.”
* * * * *
“You have your passport?” Sophie asked as she helped me with my luggage.
“Check,” I replied.
“Your plane ticket?”
“Check.”
“Did you download Google Translate?”
“Check.”
“IDs, credit card, self-defense chains, Clothes, and a few stuff you need to take?”
“Check, check, check, check, and check.”
“Alright, then. You’re good to go.” Sophie says as she looks up and down at me.
“What?” I asked, looking over myself like I had some bug or dirt on my clothes.
Sophie chuckled and hugged me. “Good luck. Don’t come back until you want to.”
I hugged her back just as tightly. “I will, thank you for sticking by my side.”
“Always.”
We then parted ways as I headed to my boarding gate.
Spain, here I come.
